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A design session in radical transformational leadership is a process of creating a vision for the future and then developing a plan to achieve that vision. It is a leadership program that supports learning what I deeply care about and aligning it with systems shifts and strategic action.

The Mathegramming Academy attended the session which was held on the 24^th and 26^th of May.

The design session began with a group of people coming together to share their projects. This was hosted by Dr.Sudharshan from RTL Works. This is followed by a discussion of the challenges that must be overcome to achieve these projects. Once the challenges are identified, the group works together to develop a plan of action.

The action plan should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. It should also be based on the group’s values and beliefs. Once the plan is in place, the group can begin to implement it.

The design session allows the group to come together, share their ideas, and develop a plan for change. The action plan can then be used to guide the group’s efforts and help them achieve their goals.

In the session, the Mathegramming team discussed the following with the RTL works by presenting the three templates of architecture for equitable and sustainable change. Dharani from the Mathegramming team presented the templates with the inputs from the rest of the team. The templates are the Conscious full spectrum response model, Respond and realize, and Synergistic operational strategies.

• Defining the problem or opportunity. What is the issue that the group is trying to address? What are the opportunities that the group is seeking to exploit?
• Identifying the stakeholders. Who are the people who will be affected by the change? What are their needs and interests?
• Generated ideas. Made a list of possible solutions to the problem or opportunity.
• Evaluated the ideas. Assessed the feasibility and potential impact of each idea.
• Chose a course of action. Selected the best idea and develop an implementation plan.
• Implementing the plan. Putting the plan into action and monitoring its progress.
• Evaluating the results. To assess the impact of the change and make necessary adjustments.

The session was an eye-opener and paved the way to look at different and multiple perspectives of the project. It narrowed the gaps in the project. It was interesting. We thank the RTL workers for their time and feedback. We look forward to being in action.

Insights from the team:

My name is Premkumar I deeply care about courage and equality for myself and others. I was able to notice the gap in the Conscious Full Spectrum Response (CFSR) and all other templates and I am able to relate the Synergistic Operational Strategies with the Mathegramming academy. I could see that my plan and strategies were aligned well after the design session.

My name is Sivasankar. I stand for courage for myself and others.  I noticed from the design session that I need to have the relevant information needed for the project, Information like students’ progress, social media, etc.

My name is Soundhariya and I stand for courage for myself and others I learned how to reframe my CFSR sheet. I got more clarity and I got some points to insert in my project specifically about policies, schemes, and laws.

My name is Ilakya Arasi, I stand for patience and courage for myself and others.
While filling the CFSR with my team I am able to see how vast our project is. When I had filled it alone without my group my approach was only about how to teach and learn maths rather than the societal and cultural changes we wanted to achieve from the project. In SOS, I realized there are many things I need to learn and explore and there is so much to practice.

My name is Dharani. I deeply care about perseverance and equity for myself and others. I noticed the alignment between the three circles and was able to add more operating principles to the project. I gained more specificity in the action plans.

My name is Preethi and I stand for courage and kindness for myself and others. Through the design session, I have acquired the knowledge of optimizing CFSR, which will prove valuable for my upcoming projects.

Mathegramming Academy aims to build Responsibility and Rigor in children and generate Results through Online mentoring of Mathematics through projects in programming, electronics, and through leadership in action..

Teachers at STEM Land have already been using Geogebra for some demonstrations in classrooms and the Mathegramming Academy presented a session on GeoGebra that would step up their ability to interact and engage with children 12^th May 2023.

 GeoGebra is a free and open-source interactive mathematics software that allows users to create and manipulate mathematical models, graphs, and figures. GeoGebra can be used for a variety of mathematical tasks, including graphing functions, creating geometric constructions, solving equations, and performing statistical analysis.

Dharani, Soundhariya, Premkumar, Sivashankar, and Ilakyarasi from Mathegramming Academy presented the following using Geogebra.

1) Dharani presented how to create a GeoGebra activity and then a classroom for students to be able to do tasks and for the instructor to be able to observe the progress real time.  Dharani created a classroom with many activities and then one that let someone work with a GeoGebra sheet. The rest of the session was done with this classroom that allowed everyone to see the progress of individuals signed in.

2) Sivashankar presented how to create a circumcentre, circumcircle, incentre, and incircle for a triangle. To move the triangle points and see how the construction refreshes and holds. Also, to add color and character to the projects. on how to create a circumcentre, circumcircle, incentre, and incircle for a triangle.

3) Premkumar presented how to create 11³ as (10+1)³ as a 3D construction with polygon and prism extension.

4) Soundariya presented how to create interactive (and randomized) questions and answers and provide input boxes and buttons  and respond to the users inputs using the if condition.

The session was intense for 1-1/2 hrs and was enjoyable and enlightening. Here are some reflections from the attendee teachers:

 My name is Poonguzhali. I stand for care and love for myself and others. My insight is to Set aside time to work with the software regularly and challenge myself to create new and more complex models and visualizations. With time and practice, I’ll become more skilled and confident in using Geogebra to solve mathematical problems and visualize mathematical concepts.

 My name is Pratap, and I stand for happiness for myself and others. During the Geo Gerba session, I learned the importance of curiosity in acquiring knowledge from others. Supporting others not only aids in visualizing mathematical concepts but also enables the efficient completion of projects within a short timeframe. When creating classrooms, it is beneficial to identify where children are facing challenges and understand their difficulties. This allows for intervention and assistance, enabling children to progress from being dependent to interdependent to independent in their work

For completion here are instructions on how to:

Create a question for the addition of two random numbers which is refreshed by a button, has an input box to enter the result, and shows the result as a text.  

The ‘If’ Condition in Geogebra:

The ‘If’ condition is a conditional statement that allows users to perform different actions based on a particular condition. In Geogebra, the ‘If’ condition can be used to control different aspects of the construction, such as the visibility of objects or the value of variables.

Syntax:

If [condition, Then (action1), Else (action2)]

In this syntax, the ‘condition’ is the logical expression that evaluates to either true or false. If the condition is true, ‘action1’ will be performed, otherwise ‘action2’ will be performed.

For example, let’s say we want to create a construction that shows the sum of two numbers, but only if the sum is A=random between (-10, 10) and B=random between (-10, 10). We can use the ‘If’ condition to achieve this as follows:

• Create two input boxes to enter the two numbers.
• Create a button to calculate the sum.
• Create a text box to display the sum.
• Now, let’s define the actions for the button using the ‘If’ condition:

If [(c== A +B,” correct”, “no. try again)]

In this syntax, ‘A’ and ‘B’ are the names of the input boxes. If the sum of the two numbers is equal to C, then it displays the sum is correct, otherwise, it displays “no. try again” will be displayed in the text box.

Creating Buttons in Geogebra:

Geogebra allows users to create buttons that can be used to trigger different actions or functions. Buttons can be created using the ‘Button’ tool, which can be found in the ‘Input’ category of the toolbar.

~ Rajesh

We were thrilled to teach a math intuition class to students, as it was fascinating to have a sense of what the result would look like. Under the guidance of Sanjeev Anna, we focused on patterns instead of answers. He spent each morning explaining mathematical patterns, which we taught to school students in the evenings

We discovered new patterns and logic that were not taught in schools or colleges to us

Advantages of having intuition in maths:

Having intuition in math allowed us to quickly recognize patterns, leading to more efficient problem-solving. It also improved our understanding of abstract concepts and fostered creativity in problem-solving and generating new mathematical ideas.

Feedback from students who attended the classes:

Firstly, they noticed the simplicity of understanding maths with patterns.

Even complex concepts were understandable

Patterns finding reduced our school theory of memorizing maths

Telling stories and relating with real-time examples increased the logic of mathematics

~ Sanjay Tumati

I keep in touch with a few of my friends who I feel possess qualities that I would like to inculcate in my life. One of these friends is strong in his Christian faith. In a conversation to understand what a monk does to understand the spirit of doing. He said:

Monasteries are obligated to be as self-sufficient as possible for the basic necessitates. The spirit of which extends to the individual monks. They farm but they are not farmers. They makes clothes but they are not tailors. They herd but they are not herders. They may even write computer programs and debug and test them, but they are not programmers. They are spiritual scholars that happen to work with their own hands to support their vocation as monks, but they must not be distracted by the work itself.

This comment struck me very close to home because of the similarities with what we are doing in C3StreamLand. At C3Streamland, we too are self-sufficient, not only for our basic necessities but also to support a whole host of activities such as employment (we provide it), education (we provide it free of cost), Vipassana at Auroville (group sits/short courses, 10-day courses), Seminars for growth (RTL workshops), support other principled and ethical actors (Thamarai, RTLWorks, SAIIER). Indeed in this respect, perhaps, we go further than a monastery does.

Now comes to the point of being distracted by work and activity. We work for a commercial concern in Bangalore as a means to support ourselves, as well as fund our activities and the larger community in Auroville. In addition, each one of us in involved in some teaching activity or the other, be it an activity or formal classes. Further, each one us also has an accountability with regards to maintaining the Organisation as a whole à Finances (school, C3streamland), Maintenance (Internet, facilities, power) etc. Furthermore, most of us are also supporting others in their growth (organising Vipassana activities, organising RTL workshops and supporting them as PCs). 

Apart from generating a livelihood and supporting others, work and being busy with wholesome tasks is a wonderful tool to prevent me from falling into lower mental states that for me a chiefly characterized by sloth, addiction to useless information and trivia (which the internet has an unending supply of), time wasting conversations, mental brooding and so on and so forth.

The benefits of having an engaged mind during all waking hours have been spoken of by Great Men and Women down the ages. As my friend never tires of reminding me, Jesus was a fine Carpenter with a very strong work ethic. Buddha himself did not believe such a thing as R&R (rest and relaxation) since the impurities never rested, so why should purity?  Closer to time, GoenkaJi would keep busy peeling potatoes if there was nothing else to do and his wife, Mataji herself was never found idle when awake, her favourite go to activity being knitting sweaters. Mataji used to mention the importance of having a mind engaged in a wholesome (or at least not-unwholesome) pursuit at all times.

So much for the benefits of an engaged mind. Now I come to my friends’ admonition. There is a very real possibility and danger that I am getting distracted from my larger purpose in life in the rush to keep delivering on my livelihood and my support activities. There is the danger that I become so distracted by my Job performance and my various support roles, in meeting the delivery schedules and my social commitments that I forget what I really want from life in terms of my inner life. How do I forget what I really care about at a deep level? When I notice that my thoughts are mostly about what needs to be done next and what needs to be done today, when I notice that my Vipassana practice has become mechanical, when I notice that I am too tired at night time to care about any of the higher things in life that I claim to care about in daytime, when I notice that I am too tired to desire the higher mental planes that a human can access and that I wish to access.

Now that I notice it what will I do? I don’t know. For one, I have become aware of it, so that is a good thing. The next is to reflect. Clearly I am not overworked. It’s just that I am overwhelmed. I am building tension during the course of my day that leaves me detached from the higher mental planes as the daylight concludes. I no longer feel attracted to the lower mental planes during the nights as I used to, so that’s reason to rejoice. But the goal now is to cultivate the sort of mind that feels attracted to the higher mental states even as the day progresses right until the time comes for slumber.

~ Poovizhi

8th grade students in Udavi are learning pie chart. In C3STREAM land we
have a system where we enter teachers notes everyday and will receive
feedback on the same from Sanjeev at the end of the week. From his
feedback I learnt that I can ask children to draw pie chart for their
daily activity. I asked them to collect data on their daily activities
for 24 hours to create a visual representation of their time management.

Students began by recording their activities throughout the day, by
writing them down on their notebook. They then organized the data into
categories, such as sleeping, eating, studying, traveling, and leisure time.

After categorizing the data, students calculated the percentage of time
spent on each activity. They converted number of hours in degree for
each activity and plotted them in a pie chart.

Each activity was shown as a separate slice of the pie, with the size of
the slice corresponding to the time spent on that activity.

Once the pie chart was complete, students analyzed and interpreted the
data. They noticed patterns and trends in their time management, which
helped them understand their own behavior and habits better. Students were able to notice where they spend more time and realized where they need to work on.

This exercise helped 8th-grade students develop their skills in data
collection, analysis, and visualization. By engaging in this exercise,
they gained a deeper understanding of pie charts and how they can be
used to represent complex data in a simple and visual form.

~ Poovizhi, Sri Bhavani

On 08/04/2023 We organised a technical session for the teachers in Udavi school from C3STREAM land. In this session, we offered our learnings to teachers be aware of cookies, application permissions, agreements and terms and conditions.

The session was handled by Sanjeev. He began the session by screening the popular documentary “The Social Dilemma,” which highlights the dangers of social media and the impact it can have on our lives. The documentary served as an eye-opener for many of the teachers, who were unaware of the extent to which their personal data is being collected and used by tech companies.

Participants were able to understand the situation of how much children were addicted to mobile phone usage. How it affects their emotions.

In Social media platforms, we always get feeds based how we likes and dislikes. No one is monitoring each person to provide such things. It was done by AI algorithm do it. The feeds were customised for each person based what they search and see.

Notifications: Turn off notifications of applications. When people get notifications, at that moment they get diverted to notification message. Anyways we see our mobile phones many times in a day. Turn off notifications of some app may help us to reduce the distraction.

Ethical and un-ethical business:

Ellipsis: Ellipsis are three dots you can see in some social media while other person is typing a message. It makes us to keep wait for the message until we receive. It also takes our time to be keep waiting for what will be the reply. In some applications, there will be option to turn of this.

Password: Never Save your passwords online. There is always risk of losing your password when you are saving it online. When people need to save their sensitive information like password, they can use keyPass tree application to save their passwords safe in offline also.

Digital wellbeing: In every android phone, there is a inbuilt app called Digital wellbeing. In this application, user can set the timer to use mobile phone for a particular time period and also user can set timer for usage of each application in your mobile phone. It will be useful for the parents who wants to control their children phone usage. After the usage of that particular time, application will lock automatically.

The session was well-organized, and the teachers were appreciative of the valuable information they received. They left with a better understanding of the importance of data privacy and online security and Conveyed their gratitude for their learnings.

Insights from the Participants:

Insight 1: I am able notice that I don’t have the control over the mobile phone usage.

Insight 2: I am able notice I am being monitored based on likes and dislikes, feeds were customised based on my likes. This session helped me to be aware of how I am using phones.

Insight 3: Creating these kinds of applications affecting the people who don’t know about these AI algorithms. They simply using these applications, get addicted to it. It leads to loss of their life sometimes.

Sri Bhavani:

From the session, I learned about ellipsis, keypass application to save passwords safely and Digital wellbeing app in mobile phone. I am to be aware of how I am using the technologies.

~ Ajay, Arunkumar, Dinesh, Rajesh, Sivaguru Prasath

Vipassana experience and insights

We practiced 5 precepts in Sila

1. to abstain from killing any being.
2. to abstain from stealing.
3. to abstain from all sexual activity.
4. to abstain from telling lies.
5. to abstain from all intoxicants.

These avoided any strong negative mental volition.

We then practiced Samadhi which is Mastery of mind/ Concentration of mind using breath.

Then we practiced about Panna(Wisdom) – which eradicates the defilements from mind through observations of sensations without reacting.

Metta bhavana – a meditation which I shared my merits to all the beings to be happy and be kind.

Here are our reflections from the same:

Ajay:

I found that the initial days of practicing Vipassana meditation were quite physically challenging, but over time I began to feel that my mind became more active and my body felt lighter. After attending the meditation, I felt a sense of lightness and happiness. This practice helped me gain insight into myself.

Arun kumar:

Vipassana is a cause and effect meditation technique, I learned that the peace comes from within is more enjoyable than the transient excitement and happiness. The focus on the sensations helped me to grasp that everything in life is temporary and it will change, nowadays my emotions have been controlled and I am responding to the situations rather then reacting to them.

I noticed the following changes in me at Vipassana and after being back:

1. Calmness in mind
2. Less anger
3. Increase in concentration
4. Lesser impatience
5. Taking responsibility for happenings around me

Dinesh:

My reflection about Vipassana was accept the reality as it is, don’t stress myself at any cause. Before Vipassana I got distracted easily and less focused but after Vipassana I am able to notice that If I got distracted I accepted it ,I wouldn’t regret it and then immediately got back to work rather than going into guilt and doing nothing. With Ana panna (breathing technique) I am able to focus on my breathe for longer time and got focused mind even though my mind got distracted. Previously, I gave more importance to my feelings and started to react but now with my equanimous mind I started to observe my feelings rather than reacting to it.

Rajesh

I have noticed that I have gained control over my wandering mind. Through Vipassana meditation, I have learned to stay present and accept things as they are, rather than how I want them to be.

Previously, I used to react immediately to situations based on my emotions, which would lead to long-lasting regret and negativity. However, by practicing Vipassana meditation, I have learned to be aware of the sensations that arise within me . I no longer create cravings or aversions towards any sensations, which has helped me avoid reacting to unpleasant situations.

As a result of my practice, I have also developed feelings of goodwill towards all living beings, including humans and animals. While I continue to practice daily to fully eliminate any remaining roots of aversion, I am grateful for the progress I have made towards liberation.

Sivaguru prasath

Learning the vipassana meditation is such a divine experience, I felt the sensations of my own body and also learned how determined I am.

To practice this technique, I prepared myself mentally and observed my sensations without reacting to it.

Being equanimous the best part I have practiced in this 10-day vipassana course without reacting to any impermanent reactions with craving or aversion.

-Pagoda cell

Vipassana in Swarna Bhoomi

We learned why the Pagoda structures are there at Vipassana centers in honor or Swarna Bhoomi (Burma/ Myanmar) where it is believed Vipassana was retained in its pristine purity.

It is said that King Ashoka who was called as Chand (Cruel) Ashoka and he was very proud of this name and about the killing the rulers and extending his reign across the country. When he came in contact with Vipassana and practiced it he was transformed. He realized his mistakes and changed after that, he insisted his sena members to learn this technique to master the mind and he then sent them to make Vipassana reach worldwide.

The two monks “Sona and Uttara” went to Swarna Bhoomi (Burma) to share this technique to Burmese people they kept the technique to its utmost purity, after 25 centuries the ancient technique to master the mind reached its origin (India).

– Pratap

Unending education is an important principle for Auroville and C3SLD, as part of my learning and engagement I participated in a talk on “Reimagining our future: communities confronting the realities of climate change” organized by forest researchers.

In this panel, experts and practitioners discussed the various ways in which climate change is affecting their respective regions and what measures they are taking to address it through community action. They shared insights on how communities can work together to develop innovative solutions to climate-related challenges, such as building sustainable infrastructure, promoting renewable energy, protecting biodiversity, and reducing waste.

One inspiring example is Auroville, an international city in southern India that aims to be a sustainable and self-sufficient community. Deepti, a volunteer from Auroville, shared examples of sustainable practices and innovations that the city has implemented. She also discussed the challenges and opportunities involved in building a sustainable community, highlighting the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing.

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The phrase “Reimagining our future: communities confronting the realities of climate change” emphasizes the need for us to rethink our relationship with nature and prioritize the health of the planet over short-term economic gains.

Communities play a crucial role in confronting the realities of climate change, as they often have unique knowledge and resources to address the impacts. By working together and sharing knowledge, we can create a more sustainable, just, and resilient world that can withstand the challenges of climate change and ensure a liveable future for generations to come.

Attending the talk on “Reimagining our Future: communities confronting the Realities of climate change” was truly inspiring and an eye-opening experience for me.  This exposure provided a platform for me to share my experiences and perspectives on how communities can confront the realities of climate change and work towards a more sustainable future. I was able to connect myself with Auroville as an international city approaching issues related to ecology and climate change, and the sustainable practices and innovations that they have implemented.

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I also got inspired by working together and sharing knowledge, communities can develop innovative solutions to climate-related challenges and promote sustainable practices in all aspects of life. Attending talks like these motivates me to learn more and see the connections between our work and the issues faced by the world at large and work towards more sustainability.

My name is Dharani. I deeply care about perseverance and equity for myself and others. It has been a year of learning in STEM this has been a shift from the management training that I was going through before I came here. Learning in STEM can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding in this blog I share my journey.

I joined STEMland as a volunteer and later joined the working team. I learned scratch programming, GeoGebra, puzzles, and games. Then I started working on codifying STEMland. Now I m part of an exciting online mentorship program Mathegramming Academy.

I was introduced to the Radical Transformational program by STEMland for the first time.  I had positive experiences with learning Radical Transformational Leadership (RTL) and filling out a CFSR. I have become more time-conscious, which is an essential skill in STEM and in life in general. It underwent significant personal growth and transformation through learning and practicing RTL. The principles of RTL, such as believing in the dignity and worth of all people, embodying a mindset of abundance and sufficiency, and practicing a commitment to integrity and authenticity, had a profound impact on me and the organization. By learning to fill out a CFSR and becoming more time conscious, I have developed valuable skills that help me succeed in STEM. I continue to embrace the principles of RTL in my personal and professional life.

STEM developed many skills like Critical thinking, Creativity, Perseverance, and Collaboration in me.

One of the most important qualities that I have incorporated into my life during my journey in STEMland is perseverance. STEM is a challenging field, and there are inevitably times when I encounter obstacles or setbacks. However, by persevering through these challenges, I developed resilience and grit that serves well in all aspects of my life.

Another quality that I have developed during your STEM journey is critical thinking and asking questions. In STEM, it is essential to be able to analyze complex problems and come up with innovative solutions. By developing critical thinking skills, I’m equipped to tackle challenges and find creative ways to solve them.

Finally, my journey in STEMland has likely taught me the value of collaboration and teamwork. STEM is a highly collaborative field, and many of the most significant breakthroughs in science and technology are the result of teams of people working together. By learning to work effectively with others, I learned to achieve my goals and make a positive impact in the world.

I learned time management and I notice my integrity being held throughout my endeavors. I got opportunities to learn more about Auroville and take part in meditations. I learned many things through peer learning and helped myself with the insights from fellow mates to groom better. I learned to take feedback for growth.

Overall, my one-year journey in STEMland was full of exciting opportunities and valuable experiences. I learned that staying committed to learning is the way to achieve the goals in STEM and I continue exploring.

My name is Dharani. I care for perseverance and equity for myself and others. This blog is a reflection on attending a session on Data privacy.

On 8^th April 2023, C3streamland organized a session on Data privacy for the teachers of Udavi School and STEMland. Dr. Sanjeev Ranganathan briefed us on data privacy and some of the ways by which our personal data can be protected. As we teachers handle children, we must be aware of ourselves and educate children.

The session started with the movie The Social Dilemma. It is a documentary that explores the unintended and at times designed aspects of social media and its impact on society. It highlights the ways in which social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube use algorithms and data mining to keep users engaged and addicted, while also nudging their behaviour and opinions.

The film features interviews with several former executives and engineers from major social media companies who discuss the ethical concerns they have about the industry. They explain how the business models of these platforms rely on collecting vast amounts of personal data from users and using it to create highly targeted advertising, which can reinforce user’s existing beliefs and create echo chambers.

The film also addresses the psychological effects of social media, such as increased rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation, as well as its impact on political polarization and the spread of misinformation.

Overall, this raises important questions about the role of social media in our lives and the need for greater regulation and accountability in the tech industry.

Sanjeev discussed the applications of Artificial intelligence and the intended and unintended consequences of technology. He also briefed us on how to transcend it by self-awareness.

He also enlightened us on the policies on data protection and the strong need to have data protection policies. Data protection safeguards sensitive data against loss, manipulation, and misuse. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India established the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India as part of the right to life and personal liberty.

As a part of self-awareness, a few smart ways to have personal data protected by ourselves were discussed. Some of them are noticing our engagement with phones by turning on the digital well-being in the smartphones, turning off unwanted notifications, not just randomly accepting without even going through the privacy policies, cookies management, and software to protect passwords.

Overall, the session was enlightening and an eye-opener for us. Many of us shared insights and wanted to have a few more sessions on data privacy protection.